Talk about importing “galunggong” or round scad, seen here in this August 2018 file photo, sounds fishy to a fisher folk group. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — A militant fisherfolk group is urging the government to end fish importation this year and to “secure the exclusive rights of Filipino fishers in their fishing grounds and coastal communities.”
The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Saturday said that the massive importation of fish “posed an adverse impact to local production.”
According to Pamalakaya, the country has imported around 190,000 metric tons of fish from China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. As a result, farm gate prices of local products of Filipino fishers were further pulled down, the group said.
“The farm gate price of ‘galunggong’ (round scad) remains below P120 per kilo despite its retail price of P250 per kilo at all-time high,” it added.
In November, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said it planned to import 25,000 metric tons of fish to ensure adequate fish supply.